Ledbetter Accompanied DeLauro to Last Night’s State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) released the following statement today on the fifth anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act being signed into law. The legislation, which was championed by DeLauro, was the first bill President Obama signed after taking office. Ledbetter was DeLauro’s guest at last night’s State of the Union address.

The Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, co-chaired by DeLauro, is hosting a hearing on When Women Succeed, America Succeeds: An Economic Agenda for Women and Families to mark today’s anniversary. Ledbetter is testifying at the hearing, which can be viewed here.

“Today marks the fifth anniversary of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which restored women’s right to challenge pay discrimination in court. That law is on the books because of Lilly, and the fight she waged – and continues to wage – against inequity. For women and families to succeed, for America to succeed, we need to ensure women are getting equal pay.

“Over fifty years ago President Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act to end the ‘serious and endemic’ problem of unequal wages. We need to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act to put real teeth in the Equal Pay Act and finally deliver on President Kennedy’s promise. Doing so would spur economic growth, and help relieve the enormous financial pressures women and families are facing in America. Passing the Paycheck Fairness Act would make a profoundly positive difference not just for women, but for our entire economy.”

DeLauro has introduced The Paycheck Fairness Act every Congress since 1997. It would:

·         Require employers to show pay disparity is truly related to job performance—not gender

·         Prohibit employers from retaliating against employees who discuss or disclose salary information with their co-workers

·         Strengthen the remedies available to wronged employees

·         Establish a grant program to strengthen salary negotiation and other workplace skills

·         Require the Labor Department to enhance outreach and training to eliminate pay disparities